BE THERE - ABOARD POLO MARCO
MODULAR SPACE SHIP FOR TOURING OUR SOLAR SYSTEM

Pi 91 30 51 92 34 97 - ?

Long term initiative to design and build by 2040 a huge 0.5km diameter two section ('ring' and 'core') space craft for the purpose of touring our solar system - and no further. Named after its minty candy likeness and the Italian explorer, POLO MARCO will journey to specified planets and moons where spectacular low orbit views will be provided via real and mega definition virtual windows, with live feeds and telemetry data transmitted to Earth.

All aspects of POLO MARCO are based on viable technologies and concepts liable to mature over the coming decades. No Science Fiction - all the real McCoy, Captain.

HISTORY/BLOG

• August 17 2023: Construction of some large ship components on Earth rejected due to excessive payload weight. POLO MARCO will be constructed in space.
• May 17 2023: Direct Fusion Drive now also a contender for propulsion. Don't forget folks, we have 27 years left to pull this off. Consider the speed with which The Manhattan Project, Moon Landings, development of DVDs, (viable) electric cars and so on were developed. All in 10 years or less.
• September 25, 2021: Code, layout and wording of this page improved and updated.
• February 10 2021: First 3D print of POLO MARCO scale model produced.
• February 2021: As hinted at in the LAUNCH + LANDING section, due to a lack of aerodynamic properties, it has been decided that the ring section will not be launched from Earth and instead constructed in space.
• January 2021: We're exploring plasma propulsion for the core.
• July 4 2020: Low key reveal of POLO MARCO website at polomarco.org featuring initial concept visuals and animations.
• 2011: POLO MARCO teaser website goes live. Two section design introduced to solve some of the problems associated with space travel, in particular artificial gravity, emergency propulsion system ejection and actually landing and/or taking off from a planet - the hard part.
• 1970s: Influenced by the original STAR TREK® series, POLO MARCO is conceived.

STRUCTURE

The outer ‘Polo’ ring spins to generate Earth level gravity for the 1.5km Ilex Way nature walkway, Cubeins, laboratories, medical and where other gravity reliant facilities are located. A beautiful full circumference angled window made from harmful ray blocking toughened glass wraps around the front of the ship, providing stunning views from Ilex Way. Four battery modules are docked onto the rear of the ring.

The separable core features an ion drive low thrust engine but enough room to house passengers during an emergency on the main ring. The core also contains facilities that are potentially dangerous or do not require gravity. The four retractable spokes / PBBs (Passenger Boarding Bridges) allow the core to dock and undock from the ring. The POLO MARCO chassis construction will depend on whether the ship is ever launched from a planetary surface. If it is, the forces exerted on the ship will be beyond anything experienced when gently cruising through space.

ILEX WAY

The social core of POLO MARCO and named after a dog walker’s paradise in West Sussex (England > United Kingdom > Earth), Ilex Way is where passengers and crew will enjoy walks, runs, sports, picnics, swims and even cycle or ride electric buggies below artificial sunlight.

An ingenious electromagnetic docking system locks the VideoPonds, trees, seats and other large objects in place in the event the gravity ring temporarily stops spinning. Likewise, magnetic levitation assist makes it easy to rearrange Ilex Way features to make way for marathons, market stalls, parties and other periodical events. Ilex Way will also house hydroponic farms to produce fresh healthy foods for humans and Polo pets alike.

HEALTH

Even with future developments in space propulsion technology, the tour would by its nature occupy a significant proportion of the passenger and crew lives. Earthlike natural features on Ilex Way ensure passengers and crew can benefit from activities that maintain their physical and mental well being. Deep sleep technology may be available for lengthy periods of travel at the discretion of the individual.

Although there will be a dedicated hospital on POLO MARCO, the Cubeins feature built in medical diagnostic systems so patients can remain 'at home' if need be.

SAFETY

This has been paramount in the design of POLO MARCO. All components that could pose a threat during failure can be quickly ejected. Each main rocket pod and the four battery packs on the rear of the ring can be ejected. If a serious fault develops in the core section, it can detach without affecting POLO MARCO operation. Fuel for the main rocket pods and thrusters is stored in individual ejectable tanks in the rear of the ring.

Like a sea-born vessel, with the exception of Ilex Way, POLO MARCO is compartmentalised. If a foreign object such as an asteroid penetrates the hull, that section can be sealed off. Ilex Way runs parallel to the Cubeins that themselves can be sealed with their own emergency air supply, acting as on board 'safe havens' until any emergency is over. We are exploring the idea of some Cubeins being ejectable so they can act as lifeboats or even shuttles.

PROPULSION

The four outer rocket pods with tough integrated landing legs enable:

• Acceleration to cruising speed
• Independent manoeuvring thrust
• Possible landing and take off from low gravity planetary surfaces
• Limited space propulsion when the central engine core is separated or inoperable.

The small dual thruster pods behind each main rocket pod spin the ring to generate gravity or bring the spin to a stop. The core contains a huge low thrust ion drive engine to slowly accelerate POLO MARCO on any long journeys. It is possible a conventional rocket may also be attached to the rear of the ion drive, with a swivel mechanism used to switch between the two.

Small thrusters are mounted on each core spoke/PBB for use in docking and undocking the core with the ring or for briefly maneuvering the core when it is separated from the ring within the constraints of on board fuel supplies.

CONSTRUCTION + LANDING

POLO MARCO will be assembled in orbit, with SpaceX Starship rockets and available equivalents used to ferry components. The amount of energy and forces required to lift each KG/lb of anything into space against Earth level gravity is considerable, therefore, a great number of payload launches will be required. We will publish here an approximate number in due course after taking the ship's total weight into account. Bare in mind POLO MARCO will be a global initiative and one of the most expensive (yet rewarding) endeavours humanity has ever undertaken.

MARS ATTRACTS

It is assumed that over the coming decades the technology and materials will exist to allow POLO MARCO to land and (possibly) take off from low gravity solar system planets and moons. If it is ascertained that it is never going to be practical for POLO MARCO to take off from any planet, there is possibility that once POLO MARCO has been retired from duty as a space touring ship, it could land on and become a permanenent Mars colony facility.

DEFENSE

POLO MARCO’s mission is to enthral and educate, not decimate. However, whilst sentient threats are unlikely, there is the remote risk of foreign objects threatening the ship, such as a rogue asteroid or even space debris that may be common around local planets and moons. If sensors detect (!) a possible threat to POLO MARCO and the huge ship cannot make a timely course adjustment, then energy beam technology based on that in development by the US & UK military today could be used to superheat and destroy any approaching objects.

A well trained but easy going uniformed police force will exist on the ship to help and protect. Non hull breaching weapons will be available at the last resort.

ENERGY

For reliability, POLO MARCO relies upon a variety of energy sources. The entire skin of the ship would be made from a photosensitive material based on next generation flexible solar panels already in development here on Earth. This will ensure that during parts of the tour when sunlight is available, energy can be generated and stored. The main rockets and possibly* the manoeuvring thrusters rely on conventional rocket fuel.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being considered as the ship's primary source of energy, although cooling a nuclear reactor away from large sources of coolant is an issue we hope will be dealt with prior to construction. It may be possible to use water from other facilities, such as the ‘outdoor’ swimming pool on Ilex Way. Effectively, the reactors could provide the ships hot water supply!

REPAIRS

The skin of POLO MARCO is to be semi organic with self healing properties similar to those developed in Japan for next generation airliners and LG (Korea) in a curved mobile phone launched in 2013. This will handle small low speed impact damage. Larger ruptures will be filled by repair robots and/or space suited humans using a tough flexible putty that can harden without air. In the event of catastrophic damage, including hull breaches, compartments can be sealed off and spare panels used to conduct repairs.

SHUTTLE

We are exploring the idea of at least one ship shuttle for conducting repairs to POLO MARCO, dealing with foreign objects and ferrying passengers to and from the ship.

SOCIETY

A commercial and community venture, a proportion of POLO MARCO passengers will be children chosen by lottery from random Earth nations. This will offer youngsters a remarkable opportunity to spend several years of their early lives on an adventure like no other.

TAKE HER* FOR A SPIN

*Marco Polo was a chap, but Polo Marco is a ship, so she's a lady!

SPECIFICATION

Name: POLO MARCO
Model No.: 1071
Class: Non-interstellar
Complement + Passengers: Approx 3500
Diameter: 500m/0.5km
Weight: Approx 4,500,000 metric tons
Ship computer: JCN
Propulsion: Hydrogen peroxide rocket x 4, Ion or Plasma drive
Power: SMR (Main), Solar (Temp/Aux)
Construction start: Approx 2035
Concept + Design: Alex Blok
Rocketry consultant: Nick Davis